ETIOLOGIC ASPECTS OF CONGENITAL DIAPHRAGMATIC-HERNIA - RESULTS OF A CASE COMPARISON STUDY

We report the results of a parental questionnaire concerning possible etiological and teratological factors, such as exposure to herbicides, in the development of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). The herb icide Nitrofen interferes with lung development in rats, can induce di aphragmatic hernia and greatly resembles thyroid hormone. No associati on with the studied teratogens nor with maternal thyroid dysfunction w as found. The questionnaire was completed by 33 parents whose baby had CDH, and by 43 couples whose baby had oesophageal atresia. The resemb lance of Nitrofen to thyroid hormone, a well-known growth factor for t he developing lung, is of particular interest from a pathogenetic poin t of view in the development of CDH.